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Chairman Crowley on Reports that President Trump Shared Highly-Classified Information with Russian Officials

May 16, 2017

(Queens, NY) – House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (D-NY) issued the following statement after it was reported that President Trump shared highly-classified intelligence information with Russian officials during a meeting at the White House.

“Reports that President Trump shared highly-classified information with senior Russian officials are deeply troubling. What is also disconcerting is the fact that the administration, like in so many other instances, continues to provide varied versions of the event – with press officials providing one account, national security officials another, and the president himself yet another.

“Without a doubt, this reckless reveal of intelligence puts Americans in harm’s way and undermines our relationships with key allies who share critical information – and expect that information to be kept confidential.

“Russia is not our ally, and it shows an extreme lack of judgement or, even worse, blatant disregard for our national security to share secrets with Russian officials.

“The White House should immediately release the transcript of the meeting with the Russian foreign minister and ambassador to the House and Senate intelligence committees. It is critical that congressional leaders have insight into what information was shared and how the Trump administration plans to correct the damage the president might have caused by sharing this highly-classified intelligence.

“This incident also underscores the very clear need to establish an independent commission to investigate what ties exist between Russia and senior members of the Trump campaign and administration.